Dricus Du Plessis may simply be MMA’s Rodney Dangerfield: the man simply can’t get no respect!
At 30 years of age, the first-ever UFC champion from South Africa is each on the prime of his sport and the highest of the 185-pound division. His skilled report stands at a formidable 21-2 with 19 victories through end. He’s defeated former champions like Robert Whittaker and Sean Strickland, in addition to veteran contenders like Brad Tavares and Derek Brunson.
Why then, are so many followers baffled by his success? He not often enters fights because the betting favourite. Till Du Plessis defeated Whittaker, the overall perception amongst followers was that Du Plessis was outright unhealthy at MMA regardless of loads of proof on the contrary. Stopping the second most achieved Middleweight of the final decade forcibly earned Du Plessis a little bit of begrudging recognition, however even now, many don’t perceive how Du Plessis retains successful.
It’s in the end a matter of substance vs. type. From a mode stand level, “Stillknocks” does rather a lot incorrect. His motion is herky-jerky moderately than fluid. His punching mechanics are awkward. He tends to advance exhausting and retreat on straight traces, off-balance both approach. Half the time, his takedowns resemble Rugby tackles greater than scholastic wrestling.
If we’re speaking about substance, nevertheless? From a strategic and effectiveness standpoint, Du Plessis’ success makes a ton of sense. These Rugby tackles land him in prime place pretty typically for a person who primarily identifies as a striker. He’s completed extra opponents through submission than knockout regardless of his brawler fame, and he got here nearer to strangling Whittaker than a real jiu-jitsu grasp in “Jacare” Souza.
Then, there’s Du Plessis’ kickboxing, which is rarely fairly however has nonetheless stopped 9 opponents and bloodied up one of many least hit strikers within the sport. There are standout components in play right here. Notably, Du Plessis is the uncommon high-volume striker with knockout energy, and he’s additionally uncommon in persistently attacking all targets. He kicks exhausting with each legs up and down the physique, throws punishing hooks on the mid-section, and can hearth stiff jabs or overhands alike upstairs.
That sort of selection is uncommon, particularly on the larger weight lessons. Sean Strickland’s skill to remain within the pocket and keep away from clear pictures might be his best attribute, however Du Plessis was capable of slowly put on by means of these defenses as a result of he attacked in any respect ranges continuously. All of his early low kicks had been checked, however his continued dedication to low kicks, physique pictures, and shifting mixtures meant that they ultimately did begin to land. By the championship rounds, Strickland was completely feeling the harm and put on of Du Plessis’ offense regardless of his slick parrying.
Du Plessis is a really good fighter with ugly mechanics. He makes sound strategic selections even when the means are generally complicated. Unimaginable bodily attributes — can anybody at Middleweight match each Du Plessis’ uncooked energy and bodily conditioning? — make it doable on the elite degree, however that shouldn’t undermine Du Plessis’ tactical and technical skills.
This weekend (Sat., Aug. 17, 2024), Du Plessis will lastly collide with rival and former champion Israel Adesanya after greater than a 12 months of feuding. “Stylebender” will stay as much as his identify and be the smoother, extra elegant striker between the 2. Nevertheless, that’s no assure of victory … and Du Plessis has confirmed it a dozen occasions over.
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